Contact lens manipulator with safety release

Abstract

The problem of inserting and removing a rigid gas permeable or hybrid contact lens is solved by the use of a lens manipulator. The lens manipulator includes a handle and an over-sleeve that is optionally attachable to an extraction stem, for creating a suction force to remove a contact lens, and an insertion stem, without suction force for placing a contact lens. Removal of the extraction stem from the over-sleeve eliminates the suction force and acts as a safety release against excessive pull force on an eye when removing a contact lens. A manual-release mechanism can be used to facilitate removal of the extraction stem.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lens manipulator comprising:
 an over-sleeve with a continuous lumen therethrough that terminates in a pore that opens onto a suction cup at a proximal end and a rod opening at a distal end; 
 an extraction stem removably insertable into the lumen through the rod opening to thereby form a friction fit that closes the lumen and allows the suction cup to create a suction force; 
 an insertion stem removably insertable into the lumen through the rod opening, having a vent along a longitudinal length of the insertion stem that inhibits formation of a suction force under the suction cup; and 
 an ergonomic structure on which the extraction stem and insertion stem are operably affixed, such that when the extraction stem is removably inserted into the lumen of the over-sleeve, the lens manipulator is functional to remove a contact lens and when the insertion stem is removably inserted into the lumen of the over-sleeve, the lens manipulator is functional to insert a contact lens. 
 
     
     
       2. The lens manipulator according to  claim 1 , wherein the suction force formed by the suction cup with a contact lens is adjustable from between approximately 100 grams and 150 grams. 
     
     
       3. The lens manipulator according to  claim 2 , wherein the suction force formed by the suction cup with a contact lens is adjustable from between approximately 110 grams and approximately 140 grams. 
     
     
       4. The lens manipulator according to  claim 3 , wherein the suction force formed by the suction cup with a contact lens is approximately 130 grams. 
     
     
       5. The lens manipulator according to  claim 1 , wherein the suction cup is off-set, such that the apex is off-center from a longitude length of at least one of the extraction stem and the insertion stem. 
     
     
       6. The lens manipulator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a detent on the insertion stem that engages with the lumen to removably secure the over-sleeve. 
     
     
       7. The lens manipulator according to  claim 1 , wherein the over-sleeve is at least partially removable from the extraction stem when a maximum pulling force is exerted against the suction force under the suction cup. 
     
     
       8. The lens manipulator according to  claim 7 , wherein the maximum pulling force is between approximately 100 grams and approximately 150 grams. 
     
     
       9. The lens manipulator according to  claim 8 , further comprising a detent on the extraction stem. 
     
     
       10. The lens manipulator according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the extraction stem and the insertion stem is non-collinear with a longitudinal length of the ergonomic structure. 
     
     
       11. The lens manipulator according to  claim 10 , wherein the ergonomic structure is a handle for controlling and manipulating the over-sleeve. 
     
     
       12. The lens manipulator according to  claim 11 , wherein the extraction stem is at one end of the handle and the insertion stem is at another end of the handle. 
     
     
       13. The lens manipulator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a manual-release mechanism for disengaging the over-sleeve from the extraction stem, so as to release any suction force under the suction cup. 
     
     
       14. The lens manipulator according to  claim 13 , wherein the manual-release mechanism comprises a finger-slide, such that, when the finger-slide is advanced towards the over-sleeve, the extraction stem disengages with the lumen, thereby releasing the suction force under the suction cup. 
     
     
       15. The lens manipulator according to  claim 14 , wherein the suction force is released when the over-sleeve is partially disengaged from the extraction stem. 
     
     
       16. The lens manipulator according to  claim 14 , wherein the finger-slide is configured to be manipulated with a finger. 
     
     
       17. A method for utilizing a lens manipulator, according to  claim 1 , adapted to manipulate a contact lens, comprising:
 positioning the lens manipulator, with the over-sleeve engaged with the insertion stem, so that the suction cup can receive a contact lens thereon; 
 filling the concavity of the contact lens with a solution; 
 advancing the over-sleeve towards a desired location until the contact lens releases from the suction cup and attaches to the desired location; and 
 moving the lens manipulator with the over-sleeve away from the desired location. 
 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 positioning the lens manipulator, with the over-sleeve engaged with the extraction stem, so that the suction cup is in contact with a contact lens at the desired location; 
 pressing the suction cup against the contact lens until a suction force is formed under the suction cup, thereby attaching the contact lens to the suction cup; and 
 moving the lens manipulator away from the desired location to disengage the contact lens from the desired location. 
 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising a manual-release mechanism on the lens manipulator and the method further comprises advancing the manual-release mechanism towards the over-sleeve to disengage the over-sleeve from the extraction stem, thereby releasing the suction force so that the lens manipulator is moveable from the desired location. 
     
     
       20. A kit, configured to manipulate a contact lens, comprising:
 a lens manipulator, according to  claim 1 ; and 
 a solution for use with a contact lens. 
 
     
     
       21. The kit according to  claim 20 , further comprising at least one additional over-sleeve.